When The Lights Go Out

Finally, there's going to be a couple good shows in Toronto. Fired Up and Another Breath are playing shows in the first two weeks of March. Winters here are dead when it comes to just about everything, including hardcore or punk shows.

I finally received my copy of Fired Ups "When the Lights Go Out" from Youngblood Records. They also through in a copy of Lights Out "Overload" which was a nice considering how long it took. I've had the Fired Up EP in mp3 format for a while. I ordered the CD instead of the 7" because i wanted to hear the demo they did in 2005 remastered. I liked the demo a lot before i heard it remastered, having listened to it a few times now i like it even more. If i had this in my hands anytime last year it probably would have made my top 10 of 2006.

One of the most noticeable differences between the demo and the EP is the songwriting. The construction of the songs and the lyrics are a step above the EP, which is impressive considering how much i liked the demo.

Although i like all the songs off of the EP, the lyrics from "All I Could" are great.

Took the chance to go for something more

Don't want to make the same mistakes i made before

Don't want to settle for just getting by

I want to get the most out of this life

This was all i wanted to i gave it my all

Investing so much, didn't think i could fall

What went wrong? How'd things end up this way?

I'm willing to try so what does it take

Hit the ground hard, but i gotta get up

It's a tough loss to face cause i cared so much

Wondering was my best just not enough?

All i can say is i did all i could

Figure out the mistakes i made

Pick myself up for another day

Try again, its never too late

But i need to know, what does it take?

Still Desperate For Answers

I decided to change the layout of this thing, i finally figured out how to customize it and make it look a little better, so hopefully it looks okay.

I watched the movie "Children of Men" that just came out, its one of the better movies I've seen in years. The cinematography is probably the best I've ever seen and the story line and plot are really intriguing. If you haven't seen it, its set in England 20 years from now, the human race is basically falling apart because we can no longer reproduce ourselves. Women can't get pregnant. So there's a lot of war, fascist governments, and extremists trying to take back control. I won't get into the story, but watching it put me in gloomy mindset and i started thinking about our world, what its becoming and how i don't even know the half of it.

It also got me started thinking about what any progressive thinking person my age is struggling with. How long can you hold out? How long until the system that you hate so much swallows you and takes all your dreams away? And how do you avoid it, how do you turn your back on something that reaches every single aspect of your life in one way or another. It only keeps reaching further and further until it's got you in its hands.

I remeber at the GB reunion Civ said "What do you do when you grow up? When your forced into this system?.... You do what you love."

I wrote this mostly out of spite and anger, but there is hope, I'm just trying to find it.

Where It Ends

I fear nothing more than becoming oil for this machine
It eats you up, grinds your bones through the gears of progress
And spits you out a lifeless drone

You’ll comply or you’ll die, you’ll comply or you’ll die

How long can I hold out, how long until my persistence
Gives me life and I can rest my hope
In the hands that carried me this far
How long until we all wake up
Shackled to the promise of prosperity
Is this where you’ll stay, is this where you’ll waste away
Or will you hack through the bone, leave false promises behind
And find the strength inside to run away.

You’ll comply or you’ll die, you’ll comply or you’ll die

How long until I collapse, dead weight
I won’t land without the earth shaking
I won’t let you steal what little I have left

I’d rather die with dignity
Than with them pointing laughing at me
I’d rather die with all of me
Than with only broken pieces of me

Clean Living Youth, Hardcore Punk, And Social Change

I just finished reading this book last week. As far as i know its the first "academic" book ever published on straight edge. Throughout the book the author (Ross Haenfler) addresses a bunch of issues concerning straight edge including its core values and how they're interpreted, positivity, commercialization, the internet, and the involvement of women. He does all of this taking the perspective of straight edge as a social movement and a subculture that has the ability to create social change. Every chapter he interviews a bunch of edge kids and gets their opinions on the topic being addressed. The author has been straight edge since 1989 or something like that so he's able to lend his personal experience, which is really what makes this book so credible.

There's a fair amount of discussion on the issue of selling out, reading it got me thinking about why so many people, people in influential bands who inspired edge kids to keep moving forward end up selling out, sometimes not more than months after the band they were in breaks up. I think one of the reasons for this is that being in a band or being constantly associated with other edge people it becomes a lot easier to be straight edge. Once that safety net is gone, when they're not around edge people all the time or not consumed with music and touring its pretty easy to slip up, to fall back on old habits.

There isn't anything wrong with having a lot of straight edge friends, but i also think its important to separate yourself from the pack so that when push comes to shove you have a backbone that can stand up to temptation. Personally, i hardly ever associate with other straight edgers, not because i don't want to, but because i feel the scene in Toronto is too much like a high school social scene. I go to shows and enjoy the music as much as anyone else, i just have no interest or motivation to really get to know a lot of people, especially because it seems so exclusive. The edge people i do know are in the same boat as me and seem to be pretty sincere about holding onto the ideals they profess to today, tomorrow.

The bottom line to all this is you've gotta do things for yourself, who cares what the world thinks, what your friends think, or what other kids involved with hardcore think. If your doing things for yourself and no one else that's as punk as you can be and its what makes the edge special to those of us who think it can make this world a better place

In light of this i was inspired to dig up the most famous song regarding this topic and one that still says it better than anyone has since.

"Straight Edge" By Minor Threat

I'm a person just like you but i've got better things to do then sit around and fuck my head hang out with the living dead snort white shit up my nose pass out at the shows i don't even think about speed thats something i just don't need i've got the straight edge i'm a person just like you but i've got better things to do then sit around and smoke dope cause i know that i can cope laugh at the thought of eating ludes laugh at the thought of sniffing glue always gonna keep in touch never want to use a crutch i've got the straight edge i've got the straight edge

It's a Disease

I was on the bus on the way back from class today and the most putrid smelling dude got on and sat close enough to me that i was having a hard time breathing. He probably hadn't showered in weeks and cleary hadn't washed his hair in years. His hair was in this huge matted ball on the side of his head that looked pretty solid, it was bouncing up and down and slapping him on the head when he walked. I found this pretty comical, but i also felt bad for the guy. He obviously had no motivation to clean himself, which probably means he isn't motivated to do much else. Looking around and seeing what some people have been depressed to is pretty disturbing sometimes. It's product of a diseased society. It can be pretty angering if you think about the reasons some people are the way they are. The key is to use that anger to create something good, create some positive momentum.

There was a band from Toronto called "No Warning" a few years back. They released a couple really solid records before signing to a major label then breaking up not long after. They had a really crunching sound, think Guns Up only better. Guns Up were obviously hugely influenced by this band. They had really angry lyrics, almost bitter at times, that complimented the vocal delivery and the music really well. For the most part the lyrics managed to remain hopefull. Anyway, they have a song that in a way speaks to what i was saying above.

Caught in the Web

We can't win. They're everywhere. Gotta fight back. / Not on my watch, not while I'm here / I'll hold on to this while I still care / Turn away from the lies, embrace the anger / And use it as momentum to break out faster / As far as I'm concerned, this is as far as it goes / Tired. Neglectful. Here I am, here I hate, here I go / Say goodbye to the wasted time spent on other lives / That are a part of mine / It makes no sense - I wish I could stop / I've tried before - The web has me caught / Twisted minds will try to keep me off track / Shifty eyes keep watch over me and await the time for attack / Only to become what I've hated all along / What I've fought all this time / I've made my bed and it's where I lie / But I'll be damned if I'm to live this fuckin life / Your mirror shows you've changed / Look close - that's who you are / Your mirror shows you've changed / Look close - You can see your pain / I won't be a prisoner / Release myself from life's chains / What I lose in this endless fight / Somewhere else I will gain

Slamball accident

Best Of 06'

If we're just talking hardcore music, 2006 was a great year. Alot of memorable releases, GB reunion, and alot of other rad shows, and as far as im concerned there seems to be a little less skeptisism and a little more optimism in the air. Hopefully the bands that had a memorable 2006 can continue to make a positive contribution to the hardcore community in 2007.

So here's my best albums, best song, and best show of 06':

Best Albums:

1. Have Heart - The Things We Carry


- Not only is this record my favorite of this year, it probably makes my top 10 of all time, and i've only been listening to it since the summer. Have Heart are the epitome of modern hardcore, they combine everything i like about hardcore music. This record deos something that very few do, it speaks to a part of you that is hard to reach, a part that can only be reached by the most powerful and charasmatic words or actions. With The Things We Carry, Have Heart do more than make outstanding music, they connect with the listener in an intriguing way, and thats what sets them apart.

2. The First Step - What We Know


- Youth crew at its finest, couldn't ask for anything more from these guys. The thing that stands out most about this record is its sincerity. The lyrics are stripped down and straight forward so it's easy to pinpoint the message being portrayed in every song. The thing that makes this record so great for me is that i was able to see the majority of the songs played live at a show they played in July. Seeing this band pour their heart and soul out on stage was awesome and it gave me a great deal of respect and appreciation for what The First Step were able to accomplish with this record.

3. The Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record


- From the very first time i heard this record i was blown away, and every time i've heard it from then on i'm still blown away. I've always thought The Bouncing Souls were a great band, they were always just what i looked for in a punk rock band. So i had pretty high expectations for this release and those expectations were far exceeded. The Gold Record always manages to lighten my mood, its got a really feel-good vibe to it, even more so then previous releases from this band. I would recommend this record to anyone, regardless of muscial tastes. It's music that transcends genres and given enough time i think anyone would enjoy it.

4. Go It Alone/Blue Monday - Split


- Two of my favorite bands from the North West, both coming off stellar Lp's, Rewritten for Blue Monday and The Only Blood Between Us for Go It Alone. GIA's sound is pretty heavy on this split, but it's still melodic and full of energy. They cover a Reserve 34 song to finish their half of the split and do a really good job of making it their own. If GIA's next LP is anything like this stuff it'll be tops on my best of 07' list next time this year. This was also Blue Monday's last release, i was bummed out that they broke up, but it's good to know they left while they were still on top. The song Maplewood is probably second to The Everything Festival off of Rewritten as my favortie BM song. Two solid bands combine and put their best foot forward to release one of the more memorable splits over the past few years.

5. Ignite - Our Darkest Days


- All you need to know about this record is that Zoli's voice sounds as good as it ever has. Not to say that the vocals completely make this record, but they're an integral part of it and rightly so. The music is a little more on the punk side of hardcore punk, comparable to bands like Pennywise and Bad Religion. Personally, i think Ignite is a head above the rest simply because of the delivery of the vocals, not only on this record but on pretty much anything they've ever released. I'm going too thoroughly enjoy anything released by Ignite so my expectations were high for this record and i wasn't even slightly dissapointed.

6. Another Breath - Mill City


- Not Now, Not Ever was a really solid debut from this band and Mill City builds on it and then some. The heavily layered guitars, drawn-out, compassionatte growls, and often pounding mid-tempo drumming give this record a bit of a Modern Life Is War vibe. There isn't anything wrong with that and with this record Another Breath have found their niche and uncovered a uniqueness that really makes this record special. Songs like Diesel and Gunpowder, Sincerity, and Orange are my favorites and they really open up the unlimited potential this band possesses. Hopefully i can see them play a show in the new year, it's hard to really appreciate a record until you've seen pieces of it performed live.

7. Verse - From Anger And Rage


- The title of this record, From Anger And Rage says it all. This is probably the angriest release of the year, although it's not without merit. There are plenty of things to be angry about and many of those things are portrayed in the socially and politically driven lyrics that are prevelant on this record. The vocals are exceptionally passionatte and you can really tell the words being yelled come from the heart of the singer. I guess you could call the music on this record Epic, not in a traditional sense but some of the instrumental build-ups leading to the climax of some of the songs are pretty moving, and given the nature of the lyrics these moments are even more powerful.

8. Get The Most - Common Goals EP


- Straight forward youth crew hardcore from members of Go It Alone, Blue Monday, In Stride, and Ordeal. This was the description given on the bands website, when i read it i needed to hear this band. Theres really nothing that immediately stands out about this record, its just really well done, almost flawless. The songs progress nicely the vocal delivery is solid and the drumming is what carries the band. The singer from GIA plays drums for these guys and he deos an amazing job, alot of really tight fills that fit the guitar work and the rythm perfectly. The lyrics are stereotypical of the youth crew style and i wouldn't have it any other way. Nothing new is being done here, but what is being done is something i've always appreciated and something that refuses to grow old.

9. Shook Ones - Facetious Folly Feat


- Anything that reminds me of Kid Dynamites' Shorter, Faster, Louder deserves a spot on this list. It isn't quite as clean and the songwriting deosnt flow at the level Kid Dynamite was able to achieve. But, with Facetoius Folly Feat, Shook Ones have made some significant progress and maybe even seperated themselves, even just a little, from the rampant Kid Dynamite comparisons. This record just has a really enjoyable sound to it and its one that i've come to love, so for that its one of my favorite records of the year.

10. Betrayed - Substance


- I anticipated this record more than any other release slated for 2006. I'd be lying if i said i wasn't a little dissapointed. Addiction was such an amazing EP and their side of the split with Champion was really impressive. That being said i was expecting something that only comes along once every 15 years or so, something that might have kept these dudes together for a while longer. It's not that Betrayed didn't deliver, they did deliver a really solid record like only they could have. I was just expecting something unrealistic. Getting to the record itself, i enjoy most of the songs alot, Arams' lyrics are as provokative as they were before and there are some really catchy guitar riffs that help move the songs along. Although this isn't the best Betrayed could have done, when compared to most other hardcore records released this year, its still in my top ten. Being the last music anyone will hear from this band also makes it a little extra special.

Best Show: Justice, TFS, Fired Up, Keep It Up, and Gunnar Hansen in Hamilton @ The Underground.


- Probably My favorite venue with one of my favotire bands and a really good supporting cast. This show opened my eyes to Fired Up and Justice. Justice, being from Europe i hadn't heard much of them before, i was thoroughly impressed with their set. Fired Up are an up and coming youth crew band and could end up being a real force. The TFS set was the most fun i had at a show all year. Stephen, the vocalist had so much energy and a really postive message that im sure lifted the spirits of everyone in attendance. When they played Something Inside chaos ensued, bodies flying everywhere with 20 kids up front yelling every word with as much conviction as the singer himself. If TFS play within 500 km of Toronto anytime in the future i am not missing it for anything.

Best Song: Have Heart - Watch Me Rise

- I'm not even going to say anything, just go listen to the song and read the lyrics, you'll see what i'm getting at.

Honourable Mention:
Sinking Ships - Disconnecting
Lion Of Judah - Universal Peace
Fired up - When The Lights Go Out
Strike Anywhere - Dead FM
Ceremony - Violence Violence
No Turning Back - Holding On
Champion/Betrayed - Split
Dead Hearts - Bitter Verses
Outbreak - Failure
Set Your Goals - Mutiny
Down To Nothing - Higher Learning
Iron Age - Constant Struggle
Legit - In Defeat Demo
No Trigger - Canyoneer
Set It Straight - Live Your Heart And Never Follow
Triple Threat - Into The Darkness

TFS!

I learned "Something Inside" by The First Step on guitar today. It's my favorite song by TFS and one of my favorite youth crew songs of all time. I don't know why i never learned it until today, it's so much fun to play.

If my brother and i get a decent recording of this song done in the week i have left on christmas break i'll post it up here. We have no bass player so its lacking in numerous crucial areas. I also hear TFS are releasing a 7 inch sometime soon. Anyone know if there is any weight to this?

Aslo, I've been getting into these bands recently:

www.myspace.com/theoneup - dudes play great melodic hardcore. They broke up months ago, but if you want hear more theres a new band featuring One Up dudes: www.myspace.com/crumblerhc

www.myspace.com/effortsmade

www.myspace.com/instride

Raise Your Flag To The Wolves?

Final Fight is a band that i really enjoy musically, for the most part. Sometimes i find they get overly melodic and it can take away from the intensity of the music. But overall i dig their brand of melodic hardcore.



I've always found this band intriguing, from the stories i've heard about them to the weird designs and concepts they use on some of their merch. Lyrically its hard to tell what perspective the singer is writing from. He writes intelligent, thought provoking lyrics but they seem to be pretty abstract and more diversified than most other hardcore bands.

I've been listening to thier split with Life Long Tragedy recently released on Deathwish. I can't figure out what the singer is trying to get at with these lyrics. He's obviously referencing the effects of intoxicants in one way or another. I've read this a few times now, these two quotes stick out. "raise your flag to the wolves" and "seek comfort in your den" i don't know what they mean and im probably over analyzing this.

Rage

Friday night, this is the party night! Such the perfect night, to stay separated from our minds Ten yards away is the drunken clamor, of pacified suburbanites (Bottles clanking, fives slapping, senses numbing) Josh is above the disconnect, and privilege that plague our times That plague our times Raise your flag to the wolves A fire in celebration to him and in rage For all the people swallowed whole and ignored Tagged "scary" by precious daddy's girls Left in fields to crack in the sun Like a wolf of neglect, seek comfort within your den

What Is Freedom?

I've been writing an absurd amount lately, none of it really makes sense. I took some of the more cohesive parts of probably 5 or 6 pages of writing and tried to make them into something. I read an essay by some dude named Emerson for my philosophy course. He talked about a struggle against conformity and consistency as something that is necessary to be free. I tried to write this to come across as saying I'd rather live a struggle than be dead inside.

I looked you in the eyes and felt so alone
You left me to struggle on my own
I know the only ones who can see this through
Are the ones who believe in not settling for second best

Second best is all you’ll ever be
If you’ve taught me one thing
It’s that in order to fit into this world
You have to give your life away
Tie your lifeless body and let the vultures pick at the decay
Now I’m glad that I cant’ see your face
Cus I refuse to sell myself short
Assimilate, conform and waste away

If I can’t stand up under the weight of these burdens, if I don’t struggle
I’ll end up just like them
Like the ones who came before me
Who gave in and didn’t second guess
The ones who couldn’t teach me
Because they didn’t know themselves
The ones that I refuse to follow
Cus I’m sick and tired of letting aspirations fade into tomorrow

To the ones who won’t conform
To the ones who wont give in
Don’t let this world bring you down

Cus I don’t want to have to look you in the eyes one day
And see that you no longer hope because your soul has decayed
I don’t wanna have to be the one to say
“Your time has come, turn around and walk away”

Modern Life Is War/Blacklisted/Some Girls/Converge In Buffalo

This show was alot of fun i went down to Buffalo with a guy named Peter, whom i hadn't met before this trip. We both wanted to go to the show and had no one to go with so we decided to rent a car and go down together. Buffalo is a sketchy place. Border security was really funny, on the way into the states the guy asked us a ton of question, searched the trunk, wore a bullet proof vest, and seem paranoid beyond control. Getting back into to Canada was hilarious, the dude looked at our I.D's for maybe a couple seconds each and then looked at us and said "have a good night" and let us through. He really didn't care.

Anyway we got to the venue, in an older area of town, pretty run down but the venue was reasonable. First thing i did was check out the merch, i got a Blacklisted T - shirt with a guy hanging from a noose on it, it looks cool. Then i picked up MLIW's Wintess on clear purple vinyl, its a new colour they just got on the tour. And finally i picked up a MLIW hoodie for my friend Etienne who couldnt make the show.

First up we're Blacklisted, i really dig this band on record, they played ok but were sloppy at times and the singer seemed disinterested. Maybe becuase it was nearing the end of the tour, but i still expected to see more energy. Overall they had some good parts, played the songs i wanted to see, so im not upset.

Then MLIW came up, pretty much the only reason i came for this show. Jeff had alot of energy as always, they played all the songs i wanted to hear aside from "By the Sea". Highlight was probably kids losing it when the played "D.E.A.D Ramones". There were bodies flying everywhere. Also when they finished with "First and Ellen" it was amazing the last minute of that song makes everyone go insane. The dissapointment was the crowd only responding to certain songs, there was a good amount of kids into every song but it seemed like the crowd only really got moving when they played their more well known songs. I think the last song Off of Witness (hair raising accouts) is amazing, especially the last two minutes, its sort of similar to "First and Ellen" in that way. Anyway i lost it when Jeff screamed "what will you do when the war is all around" no many others did, so that sucked. Overall though it was alot of fun, one of the better times i have seen them play.

Some Girls played next. Didn't like them. Wes from AN/GUTG is super weird now, the dude is on some powerful drugs im guessing. Their last song the frohawked bass player played another set of drums. and proceeded to play the same pattern for at least 5 or 6 minutes while the bass player yelled"hey" into the mic constantly and Wes just stood their glaring at the crowd until he decided to get a bass drum of his own and start beating it. Really weird and almost certainly drug induced.

Converge was up next. I'm not really into Hardcore that is that metallic. But i enjoyed their set. they had alot of energy and really got the crown into it, so that was good to see. Much respect to those guys their very good at what they do and Jacob Bannon seems like a really stand up guy, besides being an amazing artist.

I'll Post pictures later if i can find them.

We've Been BETRAYED!

From what i've seen Aram is one of the most stand-up dudes in hardcore, everytime ive seen him perform live, whether it be with champion, betrayed, or the first step he always has so much energy. It was nice to see him front betrayed, he always had something promising to say in between songs or whenever he had that chance.

here are some videos of Betrayed last weekend of shows with TFS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krr1klQGKOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wchPrGQov1U (this one is amazing)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh_h70L9gLM (so is this one)
The First Step
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7ZOe4HNQF8

West Coast Love

The new Shook Ones record is amazing, if you like Kid Dynamite, Lifetime, or hardcore punk in general you'll like this. The vocals are so raw, in my opinion there some of the best vocals in hardcore. www.myspace.com/shookones




Set It Straight is a band i couldn't get into, the vocals seemed constrained and the music was mediocore. They released a new album recently, i was a little hesitant to check it out, but i did and i was really impressed. The whole Northern California scene has been producing some great bands lately. Like Allegiance and Killing The Dream, whose vocalists both make guest appearances on this record. www.myspace.com/setitstraight



Theres been alot of really good stuff coming from the west coast in general lately. Most notably for me is Go It Alone, this is one reason why:

Go It Alone - Inheritance

In generation after generation the seeds of submission find fertile soil. They poison us with pride while the truth remains behind locked doors, sequestered in the minds of those who have been ignored, silenced, and pushed aside. The voice of truth is hushed before it reaches our ears so we inherit the lie. For generation after generation whitewashed "facts" masquerade as reality. Can you smell the bullshit? It lingers in history texts on highschool desks and on our leader's breath. Pushed aside, neatly swept under the rug. The voice of truth is hushed before it reaches our ears so we inherit the lie. This is our inheritance. Keep puffing your chest. Keep bursting with pride. Keep waving your flags. Keep closing your eyes. Close your eyes

If you havent heard this band, check them out: www.myspace.com/goitalonehc

Fakes Like You.....

Modern Life Is War - Fakes Like You (Make Me Sick)

This is a lesson in letting your guard down. Sometimes open arms are an invitation for disaster. So next time, I’ll trust my fucking instincts. next time you come around, all you will get are cold stares & cold shoulders. I’ll be crouching with my fists clenched in the corner. I can only hang on so tight for so long. I’m letting you go. I will be just fine on my own. You can’t come in. I’m leaving you out in the cold because there’s no room left in my heart for fakes like you.

I think this is the first Modern Life Is War song i heard. The lyrics are great, i'm sure most people can relate to them in one way or another. It's true though, some people never learn. They stay the same and no matter how many times you open up, no matter how much you care, they'll always be fake. It hurts to see but you have to let go and the next time they come around trust your instincts.

Solitude

"What can we do when the war is all around? The veins are constricting. The pressure is coming down." - Modern Life Is War

This band is pretty inspiring, you can take one line and it can mean so much. This is how i would answer the question posed above.

Walk into the storm

Walk into the rage

Walk alone and free of pain

Turn your back on the world

It's fighting to keep you dead inside

The thing that scares them most

Is your will to be alive

It seems everytime you try

You fall just short

Of taking a breath

That deosn't eat away at your soul

Walk away

Without hate, without fear

Walk away and the shame will dissapear

Take comfort in being alone

Becuase it's the only way that you can tuly live

The only way that you can give

Back to a world

That tried to take it all away

Walk with a clear mind and open ears

Walk with eyes that see the truth

And a heart that beats to its own rythm

A heart that's no longer subject to abuse.

Overcome the only thing that scares you

So the next time you try

You'll breathe a breath of defiance

And you'll know what it feels like to be alive.

Think What You Will

“No Faith”

I look up to the sky and see
The walls of this world falling down around me
And you’re still picking up the pieces
Rebuilding the same structure
Because you think we need it

We have no faith in anything that you’ve created
No faith that this city skyline won’t collapse
That the system you worship
Won’t turn and stab you in the back
We have no faith in your pretty smile
Because behind those lines the wasteland runs for miles

We don’t need your empty promises
We don’t need the problems you left for dead
We don’t need the schizophrenic tendencies
That run rampant inside your head

We need the hope that you’ve forgotten
Stop trying to save a society that’s spent to long rotting
Because all we need is what we have inside
Stop looking behind us so we can strengthen our minds
And if we let them run free they'll break the chains
That held us captive from the inside

NO FAITH
But there are things that we’ll create
That will take hold and shape
The way we live our lives and help us to finally escape.
NO FAITH

More Zinn

I came across this interview with Howard Zinn. I found it really interesting. www.alternet.org/story/43138/

The new Shook Ones leaked so i've been listening to it non-stop the whole week. Take everything Dan Yemin has been involved with and put it together and you have Shook Ones, it's amazing. Daggermouth is tommorow thats gonna be rad, its a weird venue, some goth club or something.

School is terrible when you have to take "general education" classes that are pointless, yet the proffesors find a way to make them painfully boring and difficult.

Art of Life

I've been reading Howard Zinn Lately. He has a relatively new book out called "Original Zinn" It's a bunch of interviews he did with a guy named David Barsamian. Noam Chomsky has one out in that same format. They're both really interesting. I've been cluttering my mind with so much literature lately, between school and what i read for "fun" it seems like im always reading. I need to go to another show. Propagandhi is on the 25th, Daggermouth is the 20th and i got tickets for night one of the F*cked Up fest as its called, with Righteous Jams, Mind Eraser, and of course the infamous "Hidden World." I Finally got pictures from the Strike Anywhere, Ignite, MLIW show i saw a month ago. There aren't any photos of MLIW becuase kids in Toronto would'nt know innovative, creative and passionatte hardore music if it slapped them in the face. And it has slapped them in the face, numerous times, they just stand their like nothing happened, in a state of shock. I think most of them are robots who only respond to one-chord, monotonous breakdowns and then proceed to "ninja dance" as a result.

I only see myself in one of these pictures, i don't know which song this is from but some lame kid beside me is throwing up the horns, which sucks. i hate it when kids do that.

Urgency

I've been reading a really good book lately. Dealing with issues of the heart. While i was reading tonight something hit me and i felt inspired to write something, i would like it to be a song, but we'll see. I've been listening to alot of have heart lately so i guess you could say the overall attitude of the song is have heart inspired aswell as being inspired by the book im reading.

"Strength"

I need the strength to resist
Everything inside of me
That will try and bring me down
I need the strength to break myself apart
And expose every scar and every seething wound
That has been buried deep inside my heart

I’m screaming out, I’m asking myself
And anyone who will listen
Where do I find my strength?

I have been stabbing myself in the back for too long
I’ve been spitting lies about my life, about my heart
For too long!

And now the time has come to swallow all of my pride
To lay to rest
Everything Inside of me that strives to fit into this world

I’ve realized true strength
Comes from the truth inside of my heart
I needed to see myself for who I really am
And not for what this world would have me think I am

I’m learning what it feels like to be free
What it means to hear the voice of truth inside of me
Screaming “I’m taking back control, I’m taking back control”

"I Can Read The Pain In Your Eyes"

I learned "Picking Up The Pieces" by Go It Alone on the guitar the last couple days, i dont think ive ever been this stoked on learning one song. i had been listening to it for probably close to 18 months and i love the guitar in it, its fairly simple, but its the little things that count. If you've heard this song you know what im talking about, if you haven't you should really go check out Go It Alone's Vancouver Gold E.P. Take the innovation of Reserve 34 and add more intensity and really raw heartfelt vocals. And if you havent heard Reserve 34 do so, it's worth it.

I've been really getting into the Allegiance full length "Overlooked" it was released last summer on Rivalry i think. This song is one of my favorite off of that album, i can really relate to it

"Don't Tell Me"

I never thought it would've been you - Standing out in the cold - Just to get away from yourself - Hide the truth behind a lying smile - Remember when you were fucking strong? - You'll live to see another day - And outstretched arm and I'll grab hold - Seems like every time I get close - You shut your eyes - And back away - I know you better than this - I scream do not let it back in - Don't tell me you're fine - I can read the pain in your eyes

Strike Anywhere/Ignite/Modern Life Is War

This show was alot of fun, The crowd was a little weak for Modern Life Is War, which was dissapointing. I thought i was going to miss them since they were opening and we were running late. i was having a bit of a hard time coming to terms with that fact, but we ended up making it on time and my rampant worrying was all for nothing. There was only like 5 or 6 kids really into them which sucked, and then they blew an amp during the intro for "By The Sea" their second last song, so they stopped. It sucked but it was nice to see them again their music means alot to me.

A Global Threat played next, i'm not really into them so we didn't stay for their set. Then came Ignite, They were amazing, Zoli's voice is beyond impressive. I think "Who Sold Out Now" was my favorite song they played, i love the chorus. Their was alot of energy throughout the set, a constant circle pit which you dont see all that often, there was an inordinant amount of street punk kids there. I don't remember them being so violent.

Strike Anywhere were flawless like they always are. They played a nice mix of old and new stuff. During "Sunset on 32nd" They told everyone to get on stage. Maybe 30 people made it up, it was awesome, im sure their will be pictures it was probably quite the scene. I always enjoy seeing Strike Anywhere Thomas is so sincere and you can tell hes giving it all he has.

On a side note Sarah bought a Ignite hoodie she's never gonna hear the end of, and that is probably going to be the last show even remotely associated with hardcore music she ever geos to. it's a tragedy.